The black plastic on my truck's cowl is somewhat faded. I typically use GC trim detailer on it, but with time it wears off and gets back to being dull and faded.

So today I manage to completely remove my cowl and wipers. Cleaned them all of with a soft brush and APC+, then hit them up with 3 coats of Krylon Fusion Plastic Paint. Here are the pics:

Before:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/andrewc90/IMG_3926.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/andrewc90/IMG_3930.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/andrewc90/IMG_3934.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/andrewc90/IMG_3943.jpg

During:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/andrewc90/IMG_3945.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/andrewc90/IMG_3948.jpg

After:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/andrewc90/IMG_3955.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/andrewc90/IMG_3957.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/andrewc90/IMG_3958.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/andrewc90/IMG_3959.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/andrewc90/IMG_3962.jpg

I plan on doing this to all my black plastic, but am going to tape it off and cover the entire truck rather than try to remove each individual plastic part.

Thanks for looking!

Maserati Mario

May 20th, 2009, 07:38 PM

Kewl!
Nice job!

MyFirstES300

May 20th, 2009, 07:40 PM

Yes, really nice!

I Shine

May 20th, 2009, 09:40 PM

I have been using Kylon Fusion for awhile now. It's amazing stuff, it really bites into the plastic.

cardriver

May 20th, 2009, 09:51 PM

Brilliant idea, and the results are amazing :-).
I'd google search this, but for the convenience of myself and others in here knowing...
What is this Fusion stuff like? Spray-on or paint-on? I see you didn't get the runs or drips, which is awesome. Description of the product/application process would be great!

miahjohn

May 20th, 2009, 09:52 PM

wow that looks really good. i wasn't expecting it to look that good when reading the post. can you post a pic of the paint can?
I would remove the plastic before painting. it will take a bit longer but no overspray mess to deal with and look how good the cowl came out!

Andrew C.

May 21st, 2009, 12:39 AM

I'll get some other pics up tomorrow but the sun was setting when I took these ones. It looks great in the light.

Krylon Fusion for Plastic is a type of spray paint. I chose the black gloss color. My process was:
Remove Windshield Wipers
Remove Screws on Cowl
Open hood, remove screws and clips on cowl under hood
Take off soft rubber linings
Spray with APC+, clean with soft brush, hose off
Let Dry
Tape off any non removable plastic or padding
3 Coats of Krylon Fusion
Voila you are done (make sure to put it back together haha)

As for application I just held the can 6 inches away and did short sprays from left to right the short way of the cowl, not the long way. I also did this coming from the right end and also coming from the left end of the cowl to make sure it was evenly covered. I got a couple drip marks where I sprayed too heavily so I took out some paint thinner and went to work removing the paint there. I had to repaint that section and it also cost me a microfiber since I needed a towel that would not leave lint on the paint. Try not to get carried away and spray too heavily, that is what I did and it cost me by having to remove paint and then reapply.

miajhohn, I will be masking off the whole truck with newspaper and tape to avoid overspray. It would be a living hell trying to take all of the black plastic off of an F150.

Great Idea!!
One of my friends did that on his bumper too!!
Looks Great!!

xantonin

May 21st, 2009, 05:57 AM

I'd like to see an update a week later, then another a month later.

J. A. Michaels

May 21st, 2009, 07:16 AM

looks great.

Please, periodically give us a update on the durability.

Andrew C.

May 21st, 2009, 08:05 AM

I'd like to see an update a week later, then another a month later.

looks great.

Please, periodically give us a update on the durability.

Will Do. I wanted to put a clear on it, but I couldn't find any clear that was made to bond with plastic so I figured I would rather not risk it with some other clear that wasn't specifically formulated for plastic.

If the clouds break up today i'll make sure to get some pics of it in the sun!

VoicesInMyHead

May 21st, 2009, 08:23 AM

Will Do. I wanted to put a clear on it, but I couldn't find any clear that was made to bond with plastic so I figured I would rather not risk it with some other clear that wasn't specifically formulated for plastic.

Awesome job! I am interested in this... Couple questions:

- Did you do any sanding? (I assume not, so the texture isn't ruined).
- If you did 3 coats of paint, wouldn't the clear be bonding with the pain and not the plastic?

I have some clear, and might try to clear a scrap piece of plastic I paint... although I'm not sure when I might get to it. Great info! thanks for posting! :xyxthumbs

xantonin

May 21st, 2009, 08:30 AM

Awesome job! I am interested in this... Couple questions:

- Did you do any sanding? (I assume not, so the texture isn't ruined).
- If you did 3 coats of paint, wouldn't the clear be bonding with the pain and not the plastic?

I have some clear, and might try to clear a scrap piece of plastic I paint... although I'm not sure when I might get to it. Great info! thanks for posting! :xyxthumbs

While technically you're correct that the clear is bonding to the paint and not the plastic you have to take into account the flexibility of the plastic.

You don't want the clear cracking when the plastic expands or contracts in the heat or cold, or bends from pressure

VoicesInMyHead

May 21st, 2009, 08:49 AM

While technically you're correct that the clear is bonding to the paint and not the plastic you have to take into account the flexibility of the plastic.

You don't want the clear cracking when the plastic expands or contracts in the heat or cold, or bends from pressure

Hi Andrew,I done this aswell.i've heard of krylon.The stuff i used was called 'pinty' specifically for ABS plastics(unpainted).I posted a pic aswell,in arecent thread,nearby.I found that it has saved me a lot of hassle always trying to keep up with these parts,especially on older vehicles. Anyway,your parts came out really nice.Oh,the one i used is a little more satin in its finish.As soon as i get some time,i'll back it up with some pics. The best part was my homemade diffuser on the back bumper which has a plastic unpainted grill/mesh.Now,i don't even need to do anything with it,whereas before it was always fading a horrible grey.This wasn't easy to detail being a mesh.

10degreesbtdc

Jun 14th, 2009, 12:12 PM

That is certainly a great way to make it look new. Nice job! My truck does the same thing, but when I wash and wax it if it needs something I use accent spray or similar product. Use a piece of cardboard or towel to keep if off the windshield and hood and just spray it on. I love the stuff. I use it on the front air dam, grill, front of the radiator where I can't get to with anything else, rear bumper trim and cowl as well as inside vents and under the dash on exposed fan/air cond housings. Works great near the door hinges too if you have rubber and plastic in there. Just wipe off any excess and you're good to go for awhile. Local auto parts stores also have some sort of spray dressing and it's not bad either. FYI.

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/imagesEdp/p84781z.jpg

Mike Phillips

Jun 15th, 2009, 07:28 AM

Just to chime in...

While painting your trim can make it look new, as the sprayed-on paint dulls over time how to restore the 'new look' again?

A. Re-clean and paint the plastic.
B. Apply a dressing.

Northing's permanent, that's why Meguiar's puts the focus on regular maintenance. Painting is another way of maintaining, for some it may be more complicated than applying a dressing, for others it may be the best option for the plastic on their car.

:xyxthumbs

Eddie6th

Jun 15th, 2009, 12:44 PM

Hi Mike,I've sprayed a few ABS plastics on my car about 2-3 years ago and they are holding up pretty good so far.I had to do the inside of my side mirrors aswell,but i'd rather wait 'till I upload some pics as they are not conventional side mirrors and can be akward to explain.They are actually fibergass construction,not plastic.I sprayed them with a tin of primer,then colored satin black and they are still in very good condition.

A lot of this might not be a practical solution for many hobbiests though,as it involves removing(in some cases),cleaning and of course painting.

Mike Phillips

Jun 15th, 2009, 12:57 PM

Hi Mike,I've sprayed a few ABS plastics on my car about 2-3 years ago and they are holding up pretty good so far.

:iagree:

In some cases a dressing is the best answer and for some situations painting will be the best solution.

:)

Eddie6th

Jun 15th, 2009, 01:12 PM

In my case,my car is fifteen years old and some of the plastic was practically beyond detailing.If it's a new car and/or the plastic is in good condition,I wouldn't bother.I would prefer just to go over it with trim detailer,as I do with my other car.

The case with the side mirrors was different as they weren't finished properly when I bought them,but to save a lot of hassle,I just repaired the fibreglass and it came out fine.But that involved quite a lengthy process of removing the mirrors(electric) from their casing and then re-riveting them back in place after.Not really detailing?

10degreesbtdc

Jun 15th, 2009, 01:27 PM

My truck is 13 years old and dressing still works wonders and lasts. It sits in the sun and rain 24/7! Just a compliment and recommendation on dressing regularly where applicable. :D It's EZ!

Eddie6th

Jun 15th, 2009, 01:49 PM

My buggy is outdoor always aswell.The problem is I neglected the plastic trim way back then(I never had much time because of my job).Also,Meguiar's was nowhere to be seen where I was fifteen years ago.The kind that were available to me at the time weren't that good.

Yes,sure.If you keep on top of it-----no problems.:dp:

Make 'em Last

Jun 24th, 2009, 11:02 AM

The black plastic on my truck's cowl is somewhat faded. I typically use GC trim detailer on it, but with time it wears off and gets back to being dull and faded.

So today I manage to completely remove my cowl and wipers. Cleaned them all of with a soft brush and APC+, then hit them up with 3 coats of Krylon Fusion Plastic Paint. Here are the pics: ...

Now that your cowl has been painted and looked new, what do you (or plan to) use to maintain it? GC trim detailer? Seems you want a product for paint now, instead of plastic?